Acer Aspire Notebook Series User manual

Copyright
Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks and Aspire is a trademark of Acer Inc. and Acer
America Corporation.
Microsoft Windows and the Windows Logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Intel
and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corp. All other brands/product names are trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
© 2002 by Acer Incorporated. All rights reserved.
Printed in China
First printing: May 2002

iii
Table
of Contents
Welcome v
Major Benefits v
Before You Start vi
Safety Instructions vi
Setting Up The System vii
Placement Tips vii
System Overview 1
Computer Front View 1
Computer Rear View 3
System Components 5
System Components 6
The Mouse 6
The Keyboard 9
The Speakers 12
The Monitor 13
Audio DJ 14
CD Storage Unit 15
3-in-1 Flash Card Readers 15
TV Tuner (Optional) 17
Upgrading Your System 19
Opening The Case 19
Installing New Components 21
BIOS Settings 22
Questions & Troubleshooting 40
General System Problems 40
Cordless Keyboard/Mouse Problems 42

iv

v
Welcome
Congratulations on purchasing your new Aspire computer!
You now have the convenience and flexibility of a full-
featured multimedia PC, offering increased productivity
combined with first class digital entertainment.
Incorporating the latest Microsoft®Windows®XP
operating system, your Aspire offers a host of functions
designed to improve your computing experience.
Major Benefits
Your new Aspire computer enables you to do the following:
• Use the latest productivity software to perform a range
of office tasks, such as word processing, working with
financial spreadsheets and creating presentations.
• Maximize your use of the Internet by downloading and
playing exciting new multimedia files.
• Enjoy your audio CDs, even when you are not using
your computer for other tasks.
• Delight in using a stylish new PC that offers convenient
connections for the latest peripherals.

vi
Before You Start
To ensure that you can use your computer safely and
correctly, please read this user guide carefully before you
start. For future reference, keep this user guide handy at all
times.
Safety Instructions
• Follow all warnings and instructions marked on your
computer.
• Do not attempt to service your computer yourself.
Refer servicing to qualified personnel.
• Unplug your computer and monitor from the wall
outlet before cleaning or before opening the case.
• Clean your computer case and monitor with a damp
cloth. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners.
• Do not use your computer near water. Never spill liquid
of any kind on your computer.
• Do not place your computer on an unstable surface.
• Do not expose your computer to a heat source or leave
it in direct sunlight for a prolonged period of time.
• Do not cover or block any ventilation slots in the case.
Also, ensure the room has adequate ventilation.
• Never push objects of any kind into your computer.
• Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do
not locate your computer where anyone will walk on
the power cord.
• Your computer should be operated from the type of
power indicated on the marking label. If you are
unsure of the type of power available, consult your
dealer or local power company.
• Your computer is designed for connection to a
grounded (earthed) outlet. Do not disable this
important safety feature.
• If a power strip is used, make sure that the total
ampere rating of the equipment does not exceed the
power strip ampere rating. Use a power strip with
surge protection.

vii
• If your computer causes interference to radio or
television reception, try one or more of the following
measures:
- Reorient or relocate the radio or television
antenna.
- Increase the distance between your computer and
the radio or television receiver.
- Connect your computer into an outlet on a circuit
different from that to which the radio or television
is connected.
- Consult your dealer or an experienced radio/TV
technician for more help.
Setting Up The System
It only takes a few minutes to set up your new Aspire
system. Start by preparing your workspace. Make sure that
the surface is stable, level and clean.
Open the box carefully, ensuring that you do not damage
the box or any of the other packing materials. The box will
be required if you ever have to store or ship your computer.
Unpack the box and set out the contents on your work
surface.
The package contains an Out Of Box Experience (OOBE)
poster. Refer to the OOBE poster for a step-by-step guide to
setting up your computer system.
Placement Tips
• For maximum viewing comfort, set up your monitor at
arm’s length from your seat, with the top third of the
screen at eye level. Tilt and swivel the display to find
the optimum position.
• Place your mouse and keyboard side by side in front of
the monitor. Check that you are able to adopt a
comfortable typing position.
• Choose a chair that can be adjusted for maximum
comfort.
• Make sure your work area is well lit.

viii

1
System O er iew
Take a few moments to study your new Aspire computer
system. Learn the locations of the buttons, ports and other
hardware features.
Computer Front View
* Only applies to Aspire G600P.
No Description
1 CD Storage Unit*
2AudioDJ
3 Drive Door*
4 CD-ROM/DVD/CD-RW Drive
5 FDD Drive
6 Front Port Bay Door*
7 Front Port Bay
8 Memory Stick Reader
9 SD/MMC Reader*
10 Microphone-in Port
11 Speaker/ Headphone Port
12 USB Port
13 1394 Port
14 Power Button
15 Wireless Connect Button*

2
Aspire G600P
Aspire M500P
4
5
6
7
89
10 11 12 13
3
14
15
21
14
4
5
8
13
2
12
11
10

3
Computer Rear View
No. Description
1PowerJack
2 Voltage Selector Switch
3Fan
4 PS/2 Keyboard Port
5 PS/2 Mouse Port
6USBPort
7 Lan Port
8 Serial Port
9 Ventilation slot
10 Parallel Port
11 VGA Port
12 Audio Ports
13 1394 Port
14 Game Port
15 PCI Card slots

4
Aspire G600P
Aspire M500P

5
System Components
• Monitor - refer to page 13
• Keyboard - refer to page 9
• Mouse - refer to page 6
• Speakers - refer to page 12

6
System Components
Your Aspire computer system is made up of several
components. These include the computer itself, the
monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers. This section
provides a brief description of the main component
features.
The Mouse
The pointing device included in your Aspire computer
system is an optical mouse. Unlike a traditional mouse that
requires the use of a mouse pad for its ball system to work
effectively, an optical mouse can be used on almost any
surface. This allows you to operate your mouse anywhere in
the vicinity of your computer - an important advantage on
a cluttered desktop.
Your optical mouse works by continuously bouncing a small
beam of light off the surface on which it is being operated.
The information from the returning light beams is read by
the mouse and transmitted to the computer. In this way,
your computer is able to calculate the precise movements of
the mouse.
Although your mouse can be used effectively on most
surfaces, highly reflective materials, such as glass or metal,
can distort the light signal. If you wish to operate your
mouse on a reflective surface you should first cover the
surface with a non-reflective object, such as a book or a
sheet of paper.
Two types of optical mouse are available: a standard corded
mouse and a cordless mouse. The type of mouse included in
your system depends on the system model you purchased.
Your mouse features standard controls: two buttons and a
scroll wheel for convenient navigation in documents and
web pages.

7
For more help with operating your mouse, see the mouse
configuration help on the taskbar.
Corded Mouse
If your Aspire computer system includes a corded mouse,
you should connect the cord to one of the computer’s USB
ports. See the OOBE poster for guidance.
left button
right button scroll wheel

8
Cordless Mouse
A cordless mouse provides the freedom to change your
work position without having to cope with an obstructed or
tangled cord.
If your Aspire computer system includes a cordless mouse,
you must allow the mouse and computer to establish radio
communication.
Before using your cordless mouse for the first time, make
sure that the batteries are correctly installed. With the
computer turned on and the Windows operating system
running, move the mouse within range (not more than 2
meters/6 feet) of the computer. Windows should detect the
radio signal and begin using the mouse. If Windows fails to
detect the mouse, pls follow below steps:
step 1: If you bought Aspire G600P, press the connect
button on the front of the computer; If you bought
Aspire M500P, press the connect button on the receiver.
step 2: Press the connect button on the mouse.
Note: When your cordless mouse is running out of
batteries, a pop-up window will remind you to
recharge it.
connect button

9
The Keyboard
Your Aspire computer system features a multimedia
keyboard, providing one-touch control for the most
important multimedia functions, as well as instant access to
your favorite websites.
Your keyboard features a standard set of keys, including 12
function keys, four cursor direction keys and a numeric
keypad.
The multimedia keys provide the following functions:
The programmable hot keys can be set to open any website
or any application on your computer. When you purchase
your Aspire, the hot keys will have the following default
settings:
Home - opens your Internet home page.
Email - launches the email application.
Go - opens an application or website of
your choice.
Search - opens the Internet search engine.
See the iTouch configuration help on the taskbar for
help with operating your keyboard or for guidance on
reprogramming the hot keys.
No. Description
1 Suspend
2 Multimedia control
3 Programmable Keys
1
3
2

10
Two types of multimedia keyboard are available: a standard
corded keyboard and a cordless keyboard. The type of
keyboard included in your system depends on the system
model you purchased.
Corded Keyboard
If your Aspire computer system includes a corded keyboard,
you should connect the cord to the PS/2 keyboard port at
the back of the computer before starting Windows. See the
OOBE poster for guidance...
Cordless Keyboard
A cordless keyboard allows greater freedom of movement.
This means you can easily reposition your keyboard to suit
your changing workspace arrangement.
If your Aspire computer system includes a cordless
keyboard, you must allow the keyboard and computer to
establish radio communication.

11
Before using your cordless keyboard for the first time, make
sure that the batteries are correctly installed. With the
computer turned on and the Windows operating system
running, move the keyboard within range (not more than 2
meters/6 feet) of the computer. Windows should detect the
radio signal and begin using the keyboard. If Windows fails
to detect the keyboard, pls follow below steps:
step 1: If you bought Aspire G600P, press the connect
button on the front of the computer; If you bought
Aspire M500P, press the connect button on the receiver.
step 2: Press the connect button on the keyboard.
Note: When your cordless keyboard is running out of
batteries, a pop-up window will remind you to
recharge it.